The last thing you want is an error message or a black screen when you try to use your webcam. But there are multiple ways to fix your webcam not working in Windows. Whether it’s a built-in/integrated or external webcam, troubleshooting the various hardware and software causes gets your camera back online quickly.
- Fix Webcam Not Working on Laptop
- Windows Webcam Not Working in Zoom
- 1. Check Access Settings
- 2. Check the Windows Device Manager
- 3. Check Your Antivirus Settings
- 4. Install or Update Drivers
- 5. Uninstall Your Webcam Driver
- 6. Check for Faulty Connections and Ports
- 7. Choose the Right Device
- 8. Ensure Your Webcam Is Compatible
Fix Webcam Not Working on Laptop
Having a webcam integrated into your Windows laptop makes life a lot simpler, but it can get a little complicated if something goes wrong, as it’s not just a simple case of plugging it into another USB port or buying a new one.
The simplest approach is to just restart your PC. If it still isn’t working, try pressing on the bezel around the camera. These are often made of plastic, making them relatively easy to “flex” with your fingers. The idea is that a connector to the webcam may have come loose, and by giving it a little squeeze, you can pop it back into place. Just don’t squeeze too hard.
If this doesn’t work, and none of the following troubleshooting steps work, it may be time to get an external webcam or replace the laptop. Replacing an integrated webcam isn’t easy or cheap.
Windows Webcam Not Working in Zoom
Do you have a problem with your Windows webcam not working for popular video-calling apps, like Zoom, Skype, Hangouts, Messenger and so on? This could be due to some Zoom versions not playing nice with secondary or virtual cameras, and the solution could be to try an older version of the software.
You can find older versions of Zoom on Uptodown. Try rolling back to a version before your current one, and see if that works.
Specifically for Lenovo users, there’s another problem that affects the webcam in Zoom, Skype and other video-chat apps.
To fix it, go to Lenovo Vantage, then click Device -> My Device Settings -> Display & Camera. Turn off Camera Privacy Mode to make the webcam available for video-calling apps.
Additionally, some laptops include built-in covers for the webcam, so make sure there isn’t a cover over the camera. Or, if you’ve added your own, ensure it’s not covering the webcam.
1. Check Access Settings
If your webcam is disabled here, no applications – not even desktop apps – will be able to use it.
Go to Settings -> Privacy & security -> Camera. Ensure Camera access is turned on. Look at the list of apps that can access your camera. Ensure the app you’re using has permission to access your camera. Otherwise, it won’t work, even though the webcam itself is fine.
If you’re trying to use your webcam within your browser, the browser’s privacy settings could be blocking the camera. For most popular browsers, go to Settings, locate the Privacy or Security section, and look for site-specific or hardware access settings.
Select Camera and see whether all sites are allowed, all sites are blocked, or only certain sites have access. You can add/remove sites as you wish.
2. Check the Windows Device Manager
Windows updates, a bad driver, or even an app may disable your webcam or camera in Device Manager. If it’s disabled, nothing can access it. Fix the webcam not working by re-enabling the camera.
Press Win + X, select Device Manager, and expand Cameras. Note that depending on the type of webcam/camera, it may also be under Sound, video, and game controllers.
Right-click on your device, and select Enable device.
If you only see Disable device, select this, restart your PC, then go back into Device Manager, and enable the camera. Think of this as a restart for your webcam.
3. Check Your Antivirus Settings
Antivirus software, which is designed to protect your privacy, sometimes affects your webcam. It doesn’t want to allow the camera to turn on to avoid unauthorized access. Check the settings in your software, and contact the manufacturer for more information.
If your antivirus program is blocking your webcam, typically, you only have to allow access in your antivirus, such as whitelisting your webcam and any apps/sites that need access to it.
4. Install or Update Drivers
Windows tries to install the necessary drivers when it installs the hardware, but occasionally, this doesn’t work. If your webcam is not working, try visiting the manufacturer’s website, and download the driver installation package.
Even if your driver installed initially, it’s possible that there is an updated version that will solve your problem. Often, the website offers other device-specific troubleshooting advice as and provides installation instructions as well.
To check for an updated driver via Windows, press Win + X, and select Device Manager. Expand Cameras or Sound, video, and game controllers (depending on your device), then right-click your webcam/camera, and select Properties.
Open the Driver tab, and click Update Driver. If your webcam stopped working after a driver update, select Roll Back Driver to revert back to the working driver.
You’ll likely need to restart your PC.
If you want to verify whether your current driver is outdated, select Driver Details from the camera’s properties in Device Manager. If you see a file called stream.sys, your camera is outdated and not able to be used by Windows.
5. Uninstall Your Webcam Driver
Sometimes, uninstalling and reinstalling your webcam driver fixes the problem. Open Device Manager, expand Cameras, right-click your device, select Uninstall device, and click OK.
Restart your PC, and let Windows reinstall the driver.
Restart Windows. As the system starts, Windows will attempt to reinstall the webcam/camera.
6. Check for Faulty Connections and Ports
If you’re using an external webcam/camera, ports, and even the cable itself, could be the problem. Fix your webcam if it is not working in Windows by performing a few simple tests.
- Unplug and reconnect the device to an available USB port
- Use a different cable, if possible
- Plug in to a different USB port
- Plug another USB device or flash drive into the USB port to verify that it works
- Try the webcam on another PC, if possible
If your ports work, and the webcam works on another PC, it’s not a hardware issue.
7. Choose the Right Device
If you have multiple video capture devices connected to your computer, the application you are trying to use may be attempting to select the wrong one.
Fix this by going to the settings screen of your application and looking for an option to select your preferred device.
If your device is not listed in the application settings, your app may not support your webcam. For example, the new Windows apps only support more recently manufactured webcams, so if you have an older one, it may not work with a new app. Most desktop apps are still compatible with the older webcams.
8. Ensure Your Webcam Is Compatible
Older webcams/cameras aren’t always compatible with newer versions of Windows and apps (both desktop and online). Check with the device manufacturer to see which systems it’s compatible with. If you’re buying a new one, this should be listed on the box.
For integrated laptop webcams, an older laptop means an older webcam, which might not be compatible. If you’re upgrading an older laptop to Windows 11, odds are, your webcam should be compatible, as long as it works well with the latest version of Windows 10.
Now that your webcam is working again, enjoy all the video calls and streaming that you want. You can always test your webcam before a big call to make sure it works. Or, if it’s time to replace your webcam, try these webcams designed for streaming.
Image credit: Unsplash. All screenshots by Crystal Crowder.
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